Quondola Beach is now a crime scene following a drowning death on Tuesday morning. Photo: Eden Magnet

The spokesman said the man had been found unconscious in the water by fellow surfers.

The man was pulled onto the beach and performed CPR, although he could not be revived.

A NSW Ambulance spokesman said the paramedics were called to the beach around 9am and arrived to find the man deceased.

The Westpac Life Saver Helicopter had been deployed to the beach about 9.20am but was stood down about 20 minutes later, when the man was pronounced dead. .

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The Westpac Life Saver Helicopter was about eight minutes from arriving at Quondolo Beach when it was sent back to Moruya to refuel before recommencing its search for the light plane crash victim at Batemans Bay.

The matter is now in the hands of police.

A NSW Police spokesman said the man was yet to be formally identified and next of kin have not yet been notified.

Quondolo Beach is a remote location, not patrolled by surf lifesavers.

“At this stage Water Police have provided us with an extensive search area off the coast of the Barlings Beach to identify anything that may have come from the place accident, whether that is further items of debris or the missing man,” he said.

Mr Leahy said the helicopter would continue to search the area throughout the day with staff subject to the wishes of Water Police search command.

“We know the man who is missing but we’ve got a new crew on the helicopter today and they’re eager to do everything,” he said.

In a statement, the Westpac Life Saver Helicopter service said their "thoughts and prayers are with the men's families and our friends and colleagues at the Moruya Airport".

"Our crews were involved very quickly after the accident on Sunday and they recovered the body of Graham," said a spokesman.